Page 32 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise

“Well, I feel good. A little sleepy, but good. And I’m excited to meet your parents.”

“Remember the safe conversation topics with my dad?” Dan asked.

“The Cubs; the importance of adequate safety gear when riding a bicycle, motorcycle, or other fast mode of transportation; gardening tips; and family. Although I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to work that second one into conversation.”

“Trust me, it’ll come up.” Dan pulled onto the road and began driving the familiar route towards his parents’ home. “And if you feel sick or tired or anything at all, just tell me and we can make a quick escape.”

“No way. I feel fine — and I want to hold up my end of the bargain. You already gave me exactly what I’d hoped for.” Leah’s hand dropped to her stomach. It was a gesture that Dan had seen many times over the last week, since Leah’s pregnancy had been confirmed, and it was always accompanied by a dreamy smile that melted his heart.

As they drove, Leah turned on the radio and started singing along to the first song that came on, a country-western medley from almost a decade ago. Her voice was light, and she sang well, which surprised Dan more than it should have. It seemed that there were very few things Leah wasn’t good at.

As they left the city, he rolled down their windows and started to hum along. Despite his nerves, Leah’s good mood was catching. It was a beautiful day, the trees were leafy, the flowers were blooming, the air was fresh, and he had a gorgeous woman by his side. It was hard to imagine anything better.

Even the pull of his work wasn’t as strong as usual.

When they arrived at his parents’ house, Dan wasn’t surprised to see that both his mother and father were sitting on the porch, sipping lemonade.

“They’re trying to act casual, but they wanted to catch an early glimpse of you,” Dan told Leah as they pulled into the driveway.

“Well, I’m flattered.” She shot him a quick smile. “Shall we?”

“All right.” Even though this had been his plan all along, Dan had rather mixed feelings now that the moment had arrived. He didn’t feel good about lying to his parents or about using Leah like this. It just didn’t feel right.

Yet he also remembered the sting of his father telling him that he wasn’t ready to manage the company, when he’d already been running it for years. And Leah was okay with their deal. It was all going to be fine.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Marley.”

Somehow, while Dan had been lost in thought, Leah had already gotten out of the car and climbed up the porch. Dan hurried after her in time to see her holding out her hand to his mother.

“Please, call me Jane.” His mother enveloped Leah in a hug. “We’re just so pleased to meet you.”

“And I’m Richard,” his dad added. He didn’t hug Leah, but he did pat her on the shoulder in a gesture that Dan knew conveyed great affection. “I hear you’ve been dating my son.”

“I have.” Leah smiled her usual sweet smile. “You raised a good one.”

“We certainly tried.” Richard cast a look at Dan. “Although I sometimes worry he’s lost his way.”

Dan waited for Leah to jump to his defense, but she took a different approach.

“Sometimes, losing your way for a little while brings you someplace wonderful you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I always thought I’d meet that special someone in college or just after, but I didn’t. I felt lost. And then I met Dan — and now I’m glad that I waited.”

Dan’s heart squeezed. Leah’s words were so kind, so romantic, that he almost wished they were true. A glance at Richard showed that he was equally touched by what Leah had said.

“Well. It really is a pleasure to meet you.” Richard patted Leah’s shoulder again. “Please, come in. We’ve prepared a nice lunch for you. Dan said you’re a vegetarian.”

“I am.”

“Well, I hope you like fresh pasta with garden-grown vegetables…” As Richard led Leah inside, Jane threaded an arm through her son’s.

“I like her.”

“You just met her, Mom.”

“I know, I know. But sometimes, you just know how you feel about a person.”

Inside, the table was already set. Dishes of salad and pasta waited in the center of the table, as did a platter of fresh garlic bread. Everything smelled delicious.

“Please, help yourself,” Jane urged, handing Leah a spoon.

---